Your Serene Highness Prince Albert II
Your Excellency Prime Minister Gusmao
District Administrator, Filomeno Tilman,
Special Representative of the Secretary-General,
Citizens of Same,
We are standing here today thanks to the humanity and generosity of the People of Monaco and their Head of State, HSH Prince Albert II, also President of the Monaco Red Cross.
We have long-waited for this day, 19 April, to unite our kind benefactor with the Maternity Clinic that bares His beloved Father’s name, His Serene Highness Prince Rainier III.
I first came to Timor-Leste in 2002 with the United Nations to help organize the independence ceremonies. While you regained your independence, my life gained a mission: to help develop Timor-Leste.
One my way back to New York, I visited with Prince Albert and told him about Timor-Leste, about the beauty of the country and the people and about your needs and I appealed to His Serene Highness to engage in a project that was in line with Monaco’s humanitarian capacity.
Thanks to Timor-Leste’s Ambassador at the time, Jose Luis Guterres, by 2004 serious negotiations were underway and the Ministry of Health made clear that it was a priority to improve access to ante natal care and assisted births in order to decrease the high rates of infant and maternal mortality. Today, we have achieved this objective with the Prince Rainier III Maternity Clinic – the first of its kind in Timor-Leste.
This has been a collaboration project so please allow me to mention some individuals who merit my gratitude.
I wish to acknowledge H.E. President Jose Ramos-Horta for visiting the Maternity Clinic twice in the last year and who together with H.E. Xavier do Amaral ceremoniously delivered the portrait of Prince Rainier III that hangs at the entrance.
I wish to thank Prime Minister Gusmao for his constant source of support and for sharing with me his vision for bettering the lives of each citizen of Timor-Leste.
I wish to commend the Ministry of Health that has employed the highest standard of professionalism at every stage of this project. It has been a true pleasure to work with you. I would like to thank the Minister of Health Dr. Nelson Martins, Former Minister of Health Dr. Rui Maria de Arujo, Project Coordinator Maun Boot Alvaro Abrantes, and his team - Antonio Vieira, Avelino Brites, District Health Services Director, Alberto Martins and his Deputy Director Feliciano Gomes, Same Midwife Coordinator, Jacinta de Jesus, and Construction Manager Abilio Cepeda.
I wish to honour the remarkable staff of the Prince Rainier III Maternity Clinic, Chief Midwife, Mana Justa Perieira and midwives: Mana Amelia Siqueira, Mana Elisabeth Marcal, and Mana Saturina Soares and clinic staff Maun Anteiro de Jesus and Maun Faustino Cortereal. You inspire me each and every day. Your dedication is exemplary and I congratulate you for the important role you are undertaking in the community.
I lived with you for 1 week in April 2007, you cared for me, you allowed me to observe you at work, you helped teach me tetum and most importantly I discovered that the best cook in Manufahi is here – Mana Iria Cortereal!
This is another aspect of why the Prince Rainier III Maternity Clinic is so important. The clinic provides the special nutritional demands that women need both prior to and immediately after birth.
On the Monaco side, I wish to extend my thanks to the Monaco Government, the Monaco Red Cross, Ambassador Gilles Noghes and Lt. Colonel Bruno Phillipponnat, for their trust, confidence and sincere encouragement.
In 2005 the world lost HSH Prince Rainier III and a nation lost its leader. Yet I wish to assure you His memory lives on here in Same and His spirit breathes life into each healthy infant born within these walls.
Finally, to Your Serene Highness Prince Albert II, You were the first person to believe in me and enable me to help Timor-Leste. It has been the proudest passage of my life to conduct this work in Your name. Together, we have impacted a community, brought together two countries and changed the lives of over 200 healthy mothers and babies.
Viva Timor-Leste!
Thank you.
Labels: Claudia, News
On 18 April Foundation for Post Conflict Development Advisors Emilian Djindjic and Arielle Messuti participated in the Global Compact Meeting at Harvard University. The theme of the meeting was "Business and Human Rights". The key note address was delivered by Ms. Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and is pictured above with Advisor Djindjic. For more information please contact the FPCD office or email edjindjic@postconflictdev.org.
